Retreating Whispers…

February 23, 2016

Joe (FC 17) using spreadsheets for good!

FrancisCorps volunteers reflect deeply on the experiences they are having in service and in community. In this reflection, Joe looks back on how his retreat experience helped him look at his service in a new way.

Joe is spending his FrancisCorps experience serving at Refugee Resettlement run by Catholic Charities of Onondaga County. Refugee Resettlement is a program run by Catholic Charities of Onondaga County. The Refugee Resettlement office is in daily contact with a diverse refugee population and works to meet the various needs that are encountered by these newcomers to the United States including finding housing, work, enrollment in school, learning English and other basic needs.

As a FranisCorps volunteer, you will be working with refugees to establish their foundation here in Syracuse. You will be assisting in home, job and educational placements as well as life skills workshops. You will also assist in home visits to assess and supply refugee families with basic essentials they may need and you may even have the opportunity to be present when a refugee family arrives here in Syracuse. Through your hard work, you will help provide services and skills to these refugees so they can succeed in their new home. The only requirement to volunteer at Refugee Resettlement is having a commitment to serving and building community with a refugee population but the placement could be an especially good fit for those who have an interest in refugee resettlement, community organizing, social work, and education.

If you are interested in applying to FrancisCorps, visit our application page. Our deadline is March 15th!